Care Coordinator for MOUD Program

This role manages the day-to-day flow, referrals, care coordination, and acute addiction counseling services for all patients enrolled in the suboxone program and for those who are still in the contemplative stage regarding treatment for substance use. This position requires knowledge of harm reduction strategies and available resources to be able to continue supporting these patients on their recovery journey. This position requires a person who is knowledgeable about substance use disorders, as well as other co-occurring mental health disorders, to be able to build rapport with patients and create a therapeutic relationship that is open, trusting, and patient centered. A successful person in this role will develop professional trust with the clinic providers as this role is often the main connection between patients and their provider. This position also is responsible for connecting with both internal and external care team providers to ensure patients are working on meeting their recovery goals. Experience providing culturally appropriate care to diverse patient populations and assisting patients in a lower socioeconomic area is preferred. This is a grant funded position (1.0 FTE) for at least 1 year, with the potential for contract renewal.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Support primary care providers with addiction medicine visits, including care coordination (65%)

• Serves as the main contact in the clinic for patients enrolled in the suboxone program, facilitating transitions of care within and between care settings, providers, and services.
• Manage all referrals to the suboxone program, which may include registering new patients, explaining program guidelines and expectations to the patient, and scheduling appointments.
• Meet with all new patients to offer care coordination for resources or support.
• Maintain a patient panel within the electronic health record (EHR). Contact patients when prescriptions refills are due, and appointments are needed.
• Provide support for patients who are experiencing acute mental health/addiction crises. Apply solution-focused strategies to help patients meet their needs.
• Facilitate internal referrals through the EHR by reaching out to the patient and scheduling as appropriate.
• Available for warm hand-offs from providers to meet with patients who are still in the pre-contemplative or contemplative stages with their substance use. Use motivational interviewing skills to assist the patient in making an informed decision.
• Complete and submit prior authorization requests to insurance providers for prescribed medications.
• Contact pharmacies, as needed, for patients when issues arise regarding any of their prescribed medications.
• Update care team, as needed, when any changes are made to the patient's care plan and document the changes in the EHR.
• Advocate for patients by evaluating obstacles to medical care at the clinic, such as transportation or other access barriers.
• Coordinate with outside agencies (i.e., treatment centers, probation officers, CPS workers, etc.) to support patients.
• Assist patients with following up on any external referrals to specialty services.
• Meet with patients who are actively in withdrawal and looking for detox services.
• Provides information and resources to patients who are seeking treatment (residential or outpatient). Assists patients with scheduling if they have phone insecurity.
• Participate in faculty, resident, and new employee orientation/education.
• Collaborate with the clinical team to develop and implement policies and procedures for the social work / care coordination services at the clinic.

Clinical research support; Documentation for reporting (20%):

• Assist research team with brief behavioral interventions.
• Help patients to set care goals and document appropriate information in the EHR.
• Administer surveys to patient participants enrolled in a research study.
• Document required program data, as needed, for reporting purposes.

Community engagement and networking with partners; maintaining list of community resources (10%):

• Maintain a database of community-based resources available to patients, including resources for health insurance, support groups, detox centers, discount medication resources, dual diagnosis treatment centers, housing, food access, and transportation.
• Collaborate with outside agencies and clinics in the community who are starting suboxone programs to share best practices.
• Advocate for patient needs within the University of Minnesota and UM-Physicians organizations, as well as the broader community.
• Regularly attend webinars and other training related to SUDs and treatment options.
• Maintain a calendar of community events and forums, participate in recovery fairs. Update existing and create new information materials to share with partners for distribution.

Harm reduction (5%):

• Provide Narcan education and training to patients and/or family members, as needed.
• Keep current with harm reduction strategies to provide patient-centered, culturally responsive care.
• Distribute Narcan reversal kits and Fentanyl and Xylazine testing kits.
• Assemble and distribute first aid kits to community partners working directly with unhoused populations.

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS plus at least four years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least eight years.
• Interest in serving patients with opioid use disorder or other substance use disorders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters in Addiction Counseling, Social Work, or related field, or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) with 2 years' experience
• Knowledge and interest in serving patients with mental and chemical health needs
• Experience in managing clinical care using an electronic health record
• Knowledge of community resources and/or social service agencies
• Experience in providing care coordination to a complex, diverse population

The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota was created more than 50 years ago in response to a legislative mandate to train primary care physicians. Since then, we have been leaders in transforming the specialty through education, research, and patient care. We are the academic sponsor of seven family medicine residencies-five in the Twin Cities, two in Greater Minnesota. We are involved in medical student education activities across the Medical School's two campuses: Twin Cities and Duluth. We sponsor five fellowship programs-sports medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, behavioral medicine, clinical informatics, and human sexuality- and offer continuing medical education opportunities. We are regularly among the top National Institutes of Health-funded family medicine departments. Our faculty are actively researching health disparities, healthcare delivery, and population health. More at https://med.umn.edu/familymedicine

Pay Range: $28.36hr to $30.76hr depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, pharmacy and disability plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).